...And the conversation somehow drifted to 'Al Tishali Oti'. Declared one blogger, "If I was the sabra, I wouldn't post so cryptically'. "If I was the sabra", said another, "I wouldn't use so many Hebrew & Yiddish words." Another blogger chimed in, "If I owned 'Al Tishali Oti', I would be more consistent with colors n content." "I wouldn't be sarcastic to commenters", muttered another, darkly. One blogger added not. "I have nothing to say, for 'To know the sabra is to be the sabra'."

My second attempt at settling (uno*, Portlandia minus ia, and bet**, now in Yew Nork massage based) is crumbling just like the first. If money, relationships and stability aint gonna come, may as well keep jetting.

*reminds me of last night's sleepover and this morning's swim. so psychingly fabulous b"h!

**remember he/he/we used to do that? ps I heard the chanukah song in the car today.

Monday, May 27, 2013

a wide missing tooth and a diamond nail dot; secure me in those places where other folk won't trot; they lead me up a chain of my own historic plot; I'm fortified for life with these secrets that I've got.

I realized the other day I ought to meditate daily on the fact that I was created for the sole purpose of serving my Creator and making my part of this world a place where He'll feel at home.

Here are some other thoughts to meditate on. They are from Tzvi Freeman, based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe whom I yearn to be reunited with speedily.

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The Baal Shem Tov taught that a sin in itself is only the bite of the snake. The real damage comes from the poison that spreads afterwards, saying, “What a worthless thing you are. Look what you’ve done! Now you're really lost.”

With those few words, all the gates of hell are opened.

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Often, anxiety takes root because a person’s external character is incompatible with his or her inner self. The anxiety may dwell upon other issues and obsessions—but none of these are the true underlying cause.

Most souls can tolerate a few inconsistencies. But others are sensitive to every nuance. As soon as some aspect of their lifestyle is not attuned to the purity of the essential self, the entire person is thrown off balance.

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This is how that darkness within us finds its way out: First it agrees with everything good we do.

When we choose to meditate, it tells us,
“Yes! Meditate! That way you will become a great sage!”

When we choose to do a good deed, it says,
“Yes! You are so wonderful! Think what others will do in return for this!”

Slowly, slowly, it convinces us that any good we do requires its approval. And then, you’ve fallen into its trap.

Do good without reason. Then there are no traps.

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Getting to where you need to be is an important step.

But nothing is as important as getting out of where you’re at right now.

Sunday, May 05, 2013

"If you say of a rabbi that he does not have a good voice and of a cantor that he is not a scholar, you are a gossip. But if you say of a rabbi that he is no scholar and of a cantor that he has no voice - you are a murderer." (Rabbi Yisrael Salanter)Sign up for their daily emails here.

Rock is strong, but iron breaks it.Iron is strong, but fire melts it.Fire is strong, but water extinguishes it.Water is strong, but clouds carry it.Clouds are strong, but the wind disperses it.Wind is strong, but the body holds it.The body is strong, but fear breaks it.Death, however, is mightier that all the aforementioned.Tzedakah (charity) is more powerful - it rescues even from death.

What is a sabra?
A sabra is a form of cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, that grows extensively in Israel.
The fruit of the sabra has a thick peel with a sharp spine and is covered in prickly thorns. Once the rough and deterring exterior is peeled away, however, you will reach the contrasting sweet pulp.
Authentic Israelis are often referred to as "sabras" because they tend to be outwardly tough and coarse, but once you get to know them they really are a soft, sweet and sensitive people.